GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The tourism industry here is expected to grow this year with the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) deciding to let the city host the 7th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games.

This city has been the country’s “city of champions” being the home of pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup, and Pacman heir-apparent Nonito Donaire, among others.

The upcoming sports event slated later this year will be spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in partnership with Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, and Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez.

Arts Event

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Elementary, secondary, and tertiary students from all over the city will camp out for three days to highlight the celebration of the National Arts Month here.

The arts camp, which is organized by the Western Mindanao State University’s Office of the Culture and Arts under Professor Roberto Torres, is set from February 24 to 26 at the university campus.

Torres said the arts camp is aimed at teaching participants on the basics and breakthroughs of performing arts, like street dancing, and shadow theater, among others.

The participants would learn the introductory discipline of performing arts.

Dapitan Aid

DAPITAN CITY – The Region-9 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-9) delivered some P2 million worth of assorted relief goods to victims of flash floods that hit this Shrine City and three municipalities late last week.

DSWD-9 Director Teodulo Romo listed the flooded areas here as the villages of Opao, Barcelona, Oyan Burgos, Ilaya, Tamion, Owaon, Diwaan, Sinunoc, and Sulangon, as well as several villages in Sibutad, Mutia, and Polanco towns.

Most of the flood victims are temporarily sheltered in several local school buildings, a report received by Romo said. (Tony Pe. Rimando)

Music Festival

TAGUM CITY (PNA) – The City Tourism Council here will gather music enthusiasts from all over the Philippines in one music festival for the “11th Musikahan sa Tagum,” a six-day festival starting February 21.

Alma Uy, City Council Tourism president and chairperson of the 11th Musikahan sa Tagum 2012, said this city is also known in the international arena for boosting music festival.

They have invited pianists and opera singers to perform during the festival. Uy, Mayor Rey Uy’s wife, expressed her gratitude for the support of private sectors since the festival started 11 years ago.

Cavalier Award

CAMP ABENDAN, Zamboanga City – Chief Superintendent Mario B. Yanga, Deputy Region-9 Director for Administration, received this year’s Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAL) Cavalier Award for Police Operations in a ceremony Sunday in Baguio City. A member of the PMA Matikas Class of 1983, Yanga got the award during the PMA Alumni Homecoming rites.

PMAAAI Chairman Remy Tigulo said the award “reflects Yanga’s dedication, idealism, and adherence to the PMA’s motto of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.” Yanga was formerly Zamboanga’s chief of police who helped capture the perpetrators of the 2002 twin bombings here. (Tony Pe. Rimando)